
In this episode, we sit down with Shashwat Goenka, a leader at the helm of the ₹80,000 Crore RPSG Group, to uncover his journey of steering one of India’s largest conglomerates toward innovation and growth. Shashwat shares his unique approach to managing legacy businesses, adapting to India’s rapidly evolving consumer landscape, and building future-ready ventures.We delve into how Shashwat prepared himself over the last decade to take on leadership, his experience owning an IPL team, and the bold decisions that have shaped the group's diversified portfolio—from FMCG and retail to chemicals and quick commerce. Shashwat breaks down how IPL teams make money, the evolution of Indian consumers, and the balance between leveraging data and staying true to core business values.He also reflects on navigating challenges like failed ventures, the power of acquisitions, and why strategic decisions must focus on long-term impact. Shashwat gives us a glimpse into his leadership style, conversations with his father and grandfather, and how studying in the US influenced his mindset. From the behind-the-scenes of IPL auctions to RPSG’s thesis on venture capital, this episode is packed with insights for founders, entrepreneurs, and anyone fascinated by business at scale.Whether you’re building a startup, managing a family business, or scaling an empire, Shashwat’s experiences offer practical lessons on leadership, adaptability, and strategic growth.⏱️ Timestamps:0:00 - Introduction1:44 - How Shashwat prepared himself in the last decade3:08 - Scale of Shashwat's business group4:45 - Businesses Shashwat is closely involved with6:40 - Owning an IPL team8:40 - How IPL teams make money and the sports business works11:51 - How Indian consumers evolved in 10-12 years16:50 - Shashwat’s thoughts on new ventures18:40 - Shashwat’s strategic decisions20:10 - Shashwat’s internal team21:22 - Setting up a large plant and strategic contributions23:16 - Shashwat’s decision-making in the group26:08 - Shashwat’s thoughts on Nature’s Basket and acquisition29:05 - Shashwat’s focus on future opportunities and growth31:00 - Shashwat on old media vs. new media34:53 - Shashwat’s view on social media evolution37:25 - Shashwat’s take on quick commerce40:41 - Shashwat’s pace of adapting to trends45:45 - Leading large-scale infrastructure and chemical business projects48:40 - Shashwat’s thesis on venture firms and vision51:50 - How Shashwat spends his time53:20 - Challenges in maintaining business culture59:38 - Conversations with his grandfather and father growing up1:05:40 - Skills Shashwat brought to the business1:07:26 - Navigating uphill challenges1:11:45 - How studying in the US shaped Shashwat’s approach1:16:31 - Businesses Shashwat focuses on1:18:04 - Behind the scenes of the IPL auction1:21:55 - Shashwat’s life as a dad1:24:42 - What Shashwat asks himself1:25:48 - Shashwat’s advice to his younger self1:27:14 - Outro🔗 Support the Podcast:If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with friends, subscribe to the channel, and leave a comment. Your engagement helps us continue to bring powerful stories to light.Follow Jivraj on Instagram: @jivrajsinghsachar#IndianSiliconValley #ShashwatGoenka #RPSGGroup #LeadershipLessons #IPLBusiness #IndianConsumers #StartupInsights #BusinessStrategy #ISV